Skin

Exhibit

Project Overview

Uniquely personal yet universal, skin forms a living interface between organisms and their environment—and is our public face to the world. Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity invites guests to explore the beauty and sophistication of this organ through rarely seen scientific specimens, fascinating interactives, and thought-provoking investigations of a challenging subject that’s far from black and white.

My Contributions

This exhibit required an array of information graphics, animated video experiences, and even physical interactive elements. From early in the development process, I helped to shape the look and feel of the exhibits more illustrative pieces, as well as steer the direction of what information and elements to include in the exhibit overall. Additionally I helped to transform key concepts regarding skin as an organ on living creatures, as well as skin (and skin color) as a social construct amongst our society, into engaging, tangible learning experiences.

Discover the shape-shifting, color-changing, and ever-evolving nature of skin. This exhibit included many elements, from diagrams and specimens, to video and interactive experiences. My role in this exhibit included illustrating for multiple video animations, as well as the overall illustration style for the information graphics. Additionally, I took part in development sessions to best determine what information should be included in our exhibit, ultimately deciding on a more scientific approach to skin as an organ, but also including the societal implications when it comes to skin. I also took part in the research to better understand the scientific elements I was depicting. This exhibit was created with the help of a multidisciplinary team of content developers, 3d designers, animators, and scientists.

Skin Exhibit

Information / Animation / Design

Jan 2018 — Jul 2019

An infographic table uses physical elements to display some of the social disparities amongst people with different skin colors, including information related to arrests, medicinal drug prescriptions, and even housing opportunities.

A range of infographics representations, including an illustrated panel showcasing the layers that make up a rhinoceros horn, a full size infographic of human microbiomes, and a physical interactive that delivers a hands-on lesson in how skin responds to stimuli like temperature, texture, vibration, and pressure. I developed a diagrammatic cross-section illustration style for skin that was that basis for many graphics and animations throughout the exhibit.